A Prayer Inspired by Abraham’s Faith
Written by: Chelsey DeMatteis, Read by: Lia Girard
Bible Reading: “And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.” - Genesis 22:13
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When you think of Abraham's life, what story about him stands out most to you? For me, it's when he obediently followed the call to take Isaac up to the mountain top and sacrifice him. I'm drawn to it mostly by his unwavering faith to trust God's outcome. It convicts me when I play through the same question being asked of me. If I'm being honest, I most likely would've been disobedient, and because of that, I would've missed getting to see the way God provided the ram.
Obedience is the part of our faith that requires full trust in the Lord. We can look all through the Bible and see the ways God provided for the people who obeyed Him. However, it was never easy. It renewed their faith. It refreshed their weary hearts once they got to the other side. But it always cost them their comfort. Comfort, while good in theory, can create a stagnant faith and make one’s life not-so dependent on God. Obedience calls us out of comfort and into the places where God creates new things within us.
Read Genesis 22:9-13 with me:
"When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son."
When you unpack all the events taking place as Abraham reached the point in which he was about to take the life of his son, they all reveal an unshakable commitment to faith in God. He first had to rise early, gather the supplies, then make the trip to the mountain; he then had to prepare the place where the unimaginable ask would take place. He bound his son, placed him on the altar, and then...heaven graced earth. The angel of the Lord spoke and said, "...For now I know that you fear God." Abraham's obedience, from beginning to end, revealed that he would do anything out of his love for God the Father.
This brings me to the question that I believe will shape your faith, and mine, forever. Are we willing to walk in obedience to God no matter what? Have we put contingencies and stipulations on how far we're willing to go? Have we walled up our hearts to the idea of trusting God when the asking seems to cost too much? Or are we followers of Jesus who will walk open-handed with hearts willing to go where we're called?
Stepping out in faith, walking confidently and boldly in obedience, will lead us to experiences with God that are faith-shaping, chain-breaking, and life-changing. Obedience to God leads us to a deeper relationship with God. This new place in our relationship with God is worth the cost of comfort, knowing that greater joy with Christ lies ahead.
Let’s Pray:
Father, thank you for the gift of your Word. It helps me as I step out in faith to be obedient to the places you're calling me to go. Help me trust you as I lay aside my love for comfort. Remove the complacency in my life and make me bold for you. Grow me, Father. Make me more like you. In Jesus' name, amen.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/sedmak
Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him, Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women's Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com.
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